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United States Patent |
5,040,822
|
Gallet
,   et al.
|
*
August 20, 1991
|
Safety binding for an alpine ski
Abstract
A binding assembly for releasably retaining an end of a boot on a ski. The
binding assembly includes a binding having wings which, preferably, are
independently movable, and a laterally movable support plate for at least
the end of the boot. Preferably responsive to movement of the wings are
abutments for limiting the lateral extend of movement of the plate. An
engagement surface on the lower surface of the plate is mounted for
cooperation with a corresponding surface adapted to be mounted fixed to
the ski for facilitating lateral movement of the plate under load. These
surfaces are preferably in the shape of a "W" and an inverted "W" in
transverse cross-section, whose apices form an area of contact when the
plate is aligned on the ski. No direct or indirect linkage is provided
between the plate and the elements of the binding during release, however,
and the plate is recentered after release in response to the return of the
wings to their retention position.
Inventors:
|
Gallet; Yvon (Annecy Le Vieux, FR);
Renaud Goud; Gilles (Annecy, FR)
|
Assignee:
|
Salomon S.A. (Annecy Cedex, FR)
|
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to March 27, 2007
has been disclaimed. |
Appl. No.:
|
307990 |
Filed:
|
February 9, 1989 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
280/636; 280/625; 280/629 |
Intern'l Class: |
A63C 009/085 |
Field of Search: |
280/636,634,629,625,626
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3353835 | Nov., 1967 | Sommer | 280/612.
|
3544123 | Dec., 1970 | Werner et al. | 280/636.
|
3785668 | Jan., 1974 | Marker | 280/613.
|
3931980 | Jan., 1976 | Marker | 280/611.
|
4600213 | Jul., 1986 | Sedlmair et al. | 280/618.
|
4660849 | Apr., 1987 | Sedlmair et al. | 280/625.
|
4804202 | Feb., 1989 | Svoboda et al. | 280/636.
|
4911464 | Mar., 1990 | Gallet et al. | 280/636.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
3005761 | Sep., 1980 | DE.
| |
3415272 | Oct., 1985 | DE.
| |
3624387 | Jul., 1987 | DE.
| |
2091429 | Jan., 1972 | FR.
| |
2128012 | Oct., 1972 | FR.
| |
431349 | Aug., 1967 | CH.
| |
Primary Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Assistant Examiner: Culbreth; Eric
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sandler, Greenblum & Bernstein
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A safety binding for an alpine ski adapted to retain the end of a boot
supported by the upper surface of a ski through the sole of said boot, and
to release the end of said boot when said boot exerts on the binding a
bias exceeding a predetermined threshold, and comprising:
(a) a body fixedly mounted on said ski;
(b) a jaw for the lateral retention of said boot, carried by said body,
including two lateral retention wings which are movable laterally against
the force of an elastic return mechanism into a position by which said
wings maintain the boot in substantially stable equilibrium in alignment
with the vertical and longitudinal median plane of said ski;
(c) a support plate for said sole of said boot, which has a vertical plane
of symmetry and which is positioned in the vicinity of said wings for
lateral retention, said support plate being movable with respect to said
upper surface of said ski, and guided in a manner so as to be freely
laterally movable with respect to said ski, said plate being substantially
symmetrical with respect to a vertical and longitudinal plane, and
generally defining a substantially horizontal plane, substantially
parallel to said upper surface of said ski, said support plate comprising
a lower surface having at least two ramps which are inclined with respect
to the upper surface of said ski;
(d) a lateral abutment connected to each of said two lateral retention
wings which limit the lateral movement of said movable support plate on
both sides of a centered position of said plate in which the vertical
plane of symmetry of said support plate is substantially coincident with
the vertical and longitudinal median plane of said ski; and
(e) a base extending from said ski in an area proximate said ramps of said
support plate at least along a transverse direction and a vertical
direction, and which has on its upper surface at least two ramps which are
inclined with respect to a plane defined by the upper surface of said ski;
wherein said inclined ramps of said plate have areas of contact with said
ramps of said base, said areas of contact defining, when said movable
plate is in its centered position, a contact plane, and wherein each of
said ramps of said movable plate has a substantially symmetrical
orientation with a respective one of said ramps of said base; and
wherein said plate is movable from the longitudinal and vertical median
plane of said ski when one of said wings moves towards the exterior of
said ski and approaches the longitudinal and vertical plane when said wing
returns the interior, wherein said abutments are positioned with respect
to one another in a manner such that in the absence of said boot, said
abutments limit the movement of said movable support plate to a
substantially zero value, and maintain said movable support plate in a
position wherein said ramps of said movable support plate are in contact
with said ramps of said base in said contact plane.
2. A binding according to claim 1, wherein said movable plate has four
ramps which are inclined with respect to said horizontal plane of said
plate in a manner so as to generally form a "W", and that said base has
four ramps which face one another and which generally forms an inverted
"W".
3. A binding according to claim 2, the apices of said ramps of at least one
of said elements, movable plate or base, which are in contact with said
apices of said ramps of said other element, base or movable plate, when
the movable plate is in its centered position, are truncated.
4. A binding according to claim 1, wherein said movable plate is pivotably
mounted in rotation around a pivot axis which is substantially vertical
and affixed to said ski and positioned at the rear of the zone of said
ramps.
5. A binding according to claim 1, wherein said base is an element which is
slidably mounted on said ski substantially along a horizontal and
longitudinal direction, that said base is extended towards the front by a
stay rod having an end which is connected to said elastic return
apparatus, and that said ramps of said movable plate and said ramps of
said base are inclined with respect to a horizontal plane defined by said
plate and with respect to a horizontal and longitudinal direction, such
that a downward bias of said boot on said plate causes a reduction of the
lateral return force of said wings by the action of said stay rod of said
base on said elastic return mechanism.
6. A binding according to claim 5, wherein said ramps are inclined with
respect to a horizontal and longitudinal direction from rear to front and
from top to bottom.
7. A binding according to claim 1, wherein said wings are mounted for
independent lateral movement, each of said wings being journalled with
respect to said body around a respective substantially vertical axis.
8. A safety binding for an alpine ski adapted to retain the end of a boot
supported by the upper surface of a ski through the sole of said boot, and
to release the end of said boot when said boot exerts on the binding a
bias extending a predetermined threshold, and comprising:
(a) a body fixedly mounted on said ski;
(b) a jaw for the lateral retention of said boot, carried by said body,
including two lateral retention wings which are movable laterally against
the force of an elastic return mechanism into a position by which said
wings maintain the boot in a substantially stable equilibrium in alignment
with the vertical and longitudinal median plane of said ski;
(c) a support plate for said sole of said boot, which has a vertical plane
of symmetry and which is positioned in the vicinity of said wings for
lateral retention, said support plate being slidably mounted along a
transverse direction in a track which allows for lateral movement of said
support plate and, beginning at the stable equilibrium position with
respect to said upper surface of said ski, downward movement of said
support plate, said support plate being substantially symmetrical with
respect to a vertical and longitudinal plane, said support plate having an
upper surface which is substantially parallel to said upper surface of
said ski, said support plate having a lower surface comprising at least
two ramps which are inclined with respect to a plane defined by the upper
surface of said ski;
(d) a lateral abutment connected for movement with a respective one of said
two lateral retention wings which limit the lateral movement of said
support plate on both sides of a centered position in which the vertical
plane of symmetry of said support plate is substantially coincident with
the vertical and longitudinal median plane of said ski; and
(e) a base extending from said ski in an area proximate said ramps of said
support plate at least along a transverse direction and a vertical
direction, and which has on an upper surface of said base at least two
ramps which are inclined with respect to the plane defined by the upper
surface of said ski;
wherein said inclined ramps of said support plate have areas of contact
with said ramps of said base, said areas of contact defining, when said
support plate is in a centered position corresponding to said stable
equilibrium position, a contact plane, and wherein each of said ramps of
said support plate has a substantially symmetrical orientation with a
respective one of said ramps of said base.
9. A safety binding for an alpine ski adapted to retain the end of a boot
supported by the upper surface of a ski through the sole of said boot, and
to release the end of said boot when said boot exerts on the binding a
bias exceeding a predetermined threshold, and comprising:
(a) a body fixedly mounted on said ski;
(b) a jaw for the lateral retention of said boot, carried by said body,
including two lateral retention wings which are movable laterally against
the force of an elastic return mechanism into a position by which said
wings maintain the boot in a substantially stable equilibrium in alignment
with the vertical and longitudinal median plane of said ski;
(c) a support plate for said sole of said boot, which is positioned in the
vicinity of said wings for lateral retention, said support plate being
movable with respect to said upper surface of said ski, and guided in a
manner so as to be freely laterally movable with respect to said ski, said
support plate being substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical
and longitudinal plane, said support plate having an upper surface which
is substantially parallel to said upper surface of said ski, said support
plate comprising a lower surface having at least two ramps which are
inclined with respect to the upper surface of said ski;
(d) a lateral abutment connected for movement with a respective one of each
of said two lateral retention wings which limit the lateral movement of
said support plate on both sides of its centered position in which the
vertical plane of symmetry of said support plate is substantially
coincident with the vertical and longitudinal median plane of said ski;
and
(e) a base unitarily formed with said ski in an area proximate said ramps
of said support plate at least along a transverse direction and a vertical
direction, said base having at least two ramps located in a central area
of said ski, said ramps being inclined with respect to the plane defined
by the upper surface of said ski;
wherein said inclined ramps of said support plate have areas of contact
with said ramps of said base, said areas of contact defining, when said
support plate is in a centered position corresponding to said stable
equilibrium position, a contact plane, and wherein each of said ramps of
said support plate has a substantially symmetrical orientation with a
respective one of said ramps of said base.
10. A binding assembly for releasably retaining an end of a boot on a ski,
said ski having a generally longitudinal axis, said safety binding
assembly comprising:
(a) a binding having wings for engaging said end of said boot, said wings
being laterally movable relative to said longitudinal axis of said ski
from a retention position to a release position;
(b) a laterally movable plate for supporting at least said end of said
boot, said plate having a lower surface having at least two inclined
ramps;
(c) a base extending from an upper surface of said ski, said base having at
least two inclined ramps for engagement with said ramps of said movable
plate; and
(d) a lateral abutment connected for movement with a respective one of each
of said wings, and for relative movement with respect to said plate, for
limiting lateral movement of said plate on either side of said
longitudinal axis of said ski.
11. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein said plate is movable from an
aligned position, in which said plate is substantially aligned with the
vertical longitudinal median plane of said ski, to a laterally displaced
position in which said plate is not substantially aligned with the
vertical longitudinal median plane of said ski, wherein said base ramps
are engagable with said plate ramps when said plate is in said laterally
displaced position.
12. The binding assembly of claim 11 wherein said at least two ramps of
said lower surface of said plate comprises four ramps which generally form
a "W" in transverse cross-section having two apices, wherein said at least
two ramps of said base comprises four ramps which generally form an
inverted "W" in transverse cross-section having two apices, wherein said
apices of said "W" are substantially opposite said apices of said inverted
"W" in said alignment position of said plate.
13. The binding assembly of claim 11 wherein said plate is adapted to be
mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis about an
end of said plate remote from said wings.
14. The binding assembly of claim 13 wherein said plate comprises a second
end proximate said wings, whereby said plate is movable toward and away
from said ski as said plate ramps engage said base ramps.
15. The binding assembly of claim 11 further comprising a transverse track
within which said plate is mounted for lateral movement.
16. The binding assembly of claim 15 wherein said base ramps are associated
with said track for permitting movement toward and away from said ski as
said plate ramps engage said base ramps.
17. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein said plate is movable from an
aligned position, in which said plate is substantially aligned with the
vertical longitudinal median plane of said ski, to a laterally displaced
position in which said plate is not substantially aligned with the
vertical longitudinal median plane of said ski, wherein two of said at
least two inclined ramps of said plate are connected by a truncated apex,
wherein two of said at least two inclined ramps of said base are connected
by a truncated apex, and wherein, in said aligned position of said plate,
said truncated apices of said plate and said base form a zone of contact.
18. The binding assembly of claim 17 wherein said zone of contact is a
substantially horizontal plane when said binding is mounted upon a
substantially horizontally oriented ski, and wherein, in said
substantially aligned position of said plate, each of said at least two
plate ramps is positioned substantially symmetrically with a respective
one of said base ramps.
19. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein said plate ramps and said base
ramps are inclined at least laterally with respect to said longitudinal
axis of said ski.
20. The binding assembly of claim 19 wherein said plate ramps and said base
ramps, further are inclined longitudinally with respect to said ski.
21. The binding assembly of claim 20 further comprising means for mounting
said base for longitudinal movement relative to said ski.
22. The binding assembly of claim 21 further comprising means for biasing
said base against movement.
23. The binding assembly of claim 22 wherein said wings are connected to
said biasing means for maintaining said wings in said retention position.
24. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein said wings are mounted for
independent lateral movement.
25. The binding of claim 24 further comprising an elastic return mechanism
operatively connected to said wings for biasing said wings in said
retention position.
26. The binding assembly of claim 25 wherein said elastic return mechanism
comprises at least one spring, a portion of which is operatively connected
to an element, said element being in engagement with said wings.
27. The binding assembly of claim 26 wherein said base is adapted for
longitudinal movement relative to said ski, said binding assembly further
comprising a member functionally connecting said element for biasing said
base against longitudinal movement.
28. The binding assembly of claim 10 further comprising one of said lateral
abutments mounted for movement with respective ones of said wings such
that movement of one of said wings laterally away from said longitudinal
axis of said ski results in movement of a respective abutment laterally
away from said longitudinal axis of said ski for permitting movement of
said plate laterally away from said longitudinal axis of said ski.
29. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein said lateral abutments are
configured and arranged relative to the remainder of said binding assembly
to maintain said plate in a position substantially aligned with said
longitudinal axis of said ski, wherein two of said at least two inclined
ramps of said plate are connected by an alignment contact portion, wherein
two of said at least two inclined ramps of said base are connected by an
alignment contact portion, and wherein in said alignment position of said
plate, said alignment contact portion of said plate ramps and said
alignment contact portion of said base are positioned substantially
opposite each other.
30. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein said base is integral with
said ski, wherein said base ramps are also integral with said ski.
31. The binding assembly of claim 10 wherein each of said lateral abutments
is positioned for engagement with a respective portion of said plate for
limiting lateral movement of said plate.
32. A ski assembly for attachment to a ski, said assembly comprising:
(a) a plate for attachment to an upper surface of said ski and for being
laterally movable relative thereto;
(b) a binding for attachment to said upper surface of said ski, said
binding comprising first and second wings for engagement with a boot, and
means for biasing said first and second wings into a stable boot retention
position;
(c) means connected for movement with said wings for limiting lateral
movement of said plate to an amount determined by respective positions of
said first and second wings; and
(d) means for facilitating lateral movement of said plate comprising means
responsive to lateral movement of the boot with respect to either of said
wings for facilitating lateral movement of said plate with respect to the
ski.
33. The ski assembly of claim 32 wherein said plate comprises a lower
surface, wherein said facilitating means comprises at least one laterally
inclined ramp formed in or connected to said lower surface of said ramp
and a base formed in or connected to said ski, including at least one
laterally inclined ramp, whereby said assembly is configured and arranged
such that said at least one plate ramp is engagable with one of said at
least one base ramp as said plate moves laterally such that downward
pressure on said plate results in a force facilitating lateral movement of
said plate.
34. The ski assembly of claim 32 wherein said means for limiting lateral
movement of said plate comprises abutments connected for movement with
said wings and positioned for engagement with respective portions of said
plate.
35. The ski assembly of claim 32 wherein said means for limiting lateral
movement of said plate comprises abutments mounted for movement between
positions adjacent respective portions said plate and laterally removed
from said respective portions of said plate for permitting said plate,
upon movement of said abutments to said laterally removed position, (i) to
remain in said stable boot retention position and (ii) to move toward a
laterally displaced position.
36. The ski assembly of claim 32 wherein each of said first and second
wings is mounted for lateral movement independent of the other of said
first and second wings.
37. The ski assembly of claim 32 wherein said means for facilitating
lateral movement of said plate comprises means responsive to downward
movement of the boot with respect to the ski for facilitating lateral
movement of said plate with respect to the ski.
38. A binding assembly comprising:
(a) an anti-friction plate movable between a centered position and either
of two opposite lateral positions;
(b) a binding comprising:
(i) a body;
(ii) a first wing movable relative to said body between a retention
position and a release position; and
(iii) a second wing movable relative to said body and movable relative to
said first wing between a retention position and a release position;
(c) means affixed to said first wing and to said second wing which are
responsive to the positions of said first wing and said second wing for
limiting lateral movement of said plate; and
(d) means for facilitating lateral movement of said anti-friction plate
comprising at least one inclined surface on a lower surface of said
anti-friction plate.
39. The binding assembly of claim 38 wherein said facilitating means
further comprises at least one inclined surface to be fixedly mounted to
said ski for engagement with said inclined surface of said anti-friction
plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a safety binding for an alpine ski which is
adapted to retain the end of a boot, supported against the ski, and to
release the end of the boot when it exerts an excessive force exceeding a
predetermined threshold.
More precisely, the invention relates to a safety binding of this type,
which is adapted to ensure the release of the boot at least in a lateral
direction. Normally, such a binding is a front binding for retaining the
front of the boot.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
It is known to equip front bindings with a support plate, on which rests
the front of the boot. Generally, this support plate is equipped with
means to limit the friction which is exerted principally between the boot
and the ski or the boot and the jaw of the binding when the boot is
laterally released.
Thus, it is known to mount a fixed support plate on the ski with a layer of
anti-friction material on its upper portion, for example, a small plate of
polytetrafluoroethylene. Such a construction is described in French Patent
2,128,012.
It is generally known to equip the front binding with a movable support
plate, which is mechanically connected to the jaw of the binding, and
which is displaced therewith. Such a construction is described, for
example, in German Application DE-OS 3,005,761.
Another construction includes mounting a support plate at the rear of the
binding which is movable independently of the elements of the binding.
Abutments limit the lateral displacement of the support plate. Such a
construction is described, for example, in Swiss Patent 431,349.
This construction is preferred because the support plate moves With the
boot during a lateral release. Thus, the friction between the boot and the
ski is transferred between the support plate and the ski. This friction
thus does not depend on the state of the surface of the sole of the boot,
which can be very variable depending upon the extent of wear.
Likewise, this construction is preferred because there is an independence
between the movement of the support plate and the elements of the binding.
Thus, if the support plate refuses to move laterally, for example, as a
result of sticking due to ice, or a foreign body which impedes its
movement, this does not disturb the operation of the binding contrary to
the preceding case where this can prevent the binding from laterally
opening.
Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,464.
There is likewise known, according to German Application DE-OS 3,624,387, a
movable support plate which is equipped with linkage means with the
elements of the jaw. These linkage means ensure the return of the movable
plate to the centered position after a lateral release.
It is more precisely these latter types of movable plates equipping a front
binding to which the invention aims at providing improvements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to safety binding for an alpine ski
adapted to retain the end of a boot supported by the upper surface of a
ski through its sole, and to release the end of the boot when the boot
exerts on the binding an excessive bias exceeding a predetermined
threshold, and including:
(a) a body fixedly mounted on the ski;
(b) two wings for independent lateral retention of the boot journalled with
respect to the body around respective substantially vertical axes and
movable laterally against the force of an elastic return mechanism into a
position by which they maintain the boot in substantially stable
equilibrium in alignment with the vertical and longitudinal median plane
of the ski;
(c) a support plate, or pedal, for the sole of the boot, which is
positioned in the vicinity of the wings for lateral retention, the support
plate being movable with respect to the upper surface of the ski, and
guided in a manner so as to be freely laterally movable with respect to
the ski, the plate being substantially symmetrical with respect to a
vertical and longitudinal plane, and generally defining a substantially
horizontal plane, substantially parallel to the upper surface of the ski,
the support plate including a lower surface having at least two inclined
ramps with respect to the support plate;
(d) two lateral abutments which limit the lateral movement of the movable
support plate on both sides of its centered position in which its vertical
plane of symmetry is substantially coincident with the longitudinal and
vertical and median plane of the ski; and
(e) a base for connection to the ski in an area proximate the ramps of the
support plate at least along a transverse direction and a vertical
direction, and which has on its upper surface at least two ramps which are
inclined with respect to a plane defined by the upper surface of the ski;
wherein the inclined ramps of the plate have areas of contact with the
ramps of the base, the areas of contact defining, when the movable plate
is in its centered position, a contact plane, and wherein each of the
ramps of the movable plate has a substantially symmetrical orientation
with a respective one of the ramps of the base.
According to a further aspect of the invention, each lateral abutment which
limits the lateral movement of the movable plate is connected to a wing in
a manner so as to move from the longitudinal and vertical median plane of
the ski when one of the wings moves towards the exterior of the ski and to
approach the longitudinal and vertical median plane when the wing returns
towards the interior, and that the abutments are positioned with respect
to one another in a manner such that in the absence of the boot, the
abutments limit the movement of the movable support plate to a
substantially zero value, and maintain the movable support plate in the
position where the ramps of the movable support plate are in contact with
the ramps of the base in the contact plane.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the movable plate has
four ramps which are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the
plate in a manner so as to generally form a "W", and that the base has
four ramps which face one another and which generally forms an inverted
"W". The apices of the ramps of at least one of the elements, i.e., the
movable plate or base, which are in contact with the apices of the ramps
of the other element, base or movable plate, when the movable plate is in
its centered position, are truncated.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the movable plate is
pivotably mounted in rotation around a pivot which is substantially
vertical and affixed to the ski and is positioned at the rear of the zone
of ramps.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the movable plate is
slidably mounted along a transverse direction in a track which allows for
its lateral movement and its vertical movement downwardly beginning at the
stable equilibrium position.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the base is
constituted by the ski itself, and the ramps are located in the central
area of the ski.
A further aspect of the invention is directed to the base which includes an
element which is slidably mounted on the ski substantially along a
horizontal and longitudinal direction, and the base is extended towards
the front by a stay rod whose end is connected to the elastic return
apparatus, and the ramps of the movable plate and the ramps of the base
are inclined with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the plate and
with respect to a horizontal and longitudinal direction, such that a
downward bias of the boot on the movable plate causes a reduction of the
lateral return force of the wings by the action of the stay rod of the
base on the energy apparatus. The ramps can be inclined with respect to a
horizontal and longitudinal direction from rear to front and top to
bottom.
The present invention can be further defined as a binding assembly for
releasably retaining an end of a boot on a ski including:
(a) a binding having wings for engaging the end of the boot, the wings
being laterally movable relative to the longitudinal axis of the ski from
a retention position to a release position;
(b) a laterally movable plate for supporting at least the end of the boot,
the plate having a lower surface having at least two mutually inclined
ramps; and
(c) a base for connection to the ski, the base having at least two mutually
inclined ramps for engagement with the ramps of the movable plate.
Further according to the invention, the plate is movable from an aligned
position, in which the plate is substantially aligned with the vertical
longitudinal median plane of the ski, to a laterally displaced position in
which the plate is not substantially aligned with the vertical
longitudinal median plane of the ski, wherein the base ramps are engagable
with the plate ramps when the plate is in the laterally displaced
position.
Still further according to the invention, the plate is movable from an
aligned position, in which the plate is substantially aligned with the
vertical longitudinal median plane of the ski, to a laterally displaced
position in which the plate is not substantially aligned with the vertical
longitudinal median plane of the ski, wherein two of the at least two
mutually inclined ramps of the plate are connected by a truncated apex,
wherein two of the at least two mutually inclined ramps of the base are
connected by a truncated apex, and wherein, in the aligned position of the
plate, the truncated apices of the plate and the base form a zone of
contact. The zone of contact is a substantially horizontal plane when the
binding is mounted upon a substantially horizontally oriented ski, and, in
the substantially aligned position of the plate, each of the at least two
plate ramps is positioned substantially symmetrically with a respective
one of the base ramps.
Still further according to the invention, the plate ramps are inclined at
least laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski.
In a further aspect of the invention, the plate ramps and the base ramps
are further inclined longitudinally with respect to the ski. The invention
can further include means for mounting the base for longitudinal movement
relative to the ski and for biasing the base against longitudinal
movement.
A still further aspect of the invention, the wings are functionally
connected to the biasing means for maintaining the wings in the retention
position. The wings are mounted for independent lateral movement.
In a still further aspect of the invention, an elastic return mechanism is
provided functionally connected to the wings for biasing the wings in the
retention position. The elastic return mechanism includes at least one
spring, a portion of which is functionally connected to an element, the
element being in functional engagement with the wings.
In a still further aspect of the invention the base is adapted for
longitudinal movement relative to the ski, the binding assembly further
including a member functionally connecting the element for biasing the
base against longitudinal movement.
In this aspect of the invention, the binding assembly further includes a
lateral abutment for limiting lateral movement of the plate on either side
of the longitudinal axis of the ski. Each of the lateral abutments is
mounted for movement with respective ones of the wings such that movement
of one of the wings laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the ski
results in movement of a respective abutment laterally away from the
longitudinal axis of the ski for permitting movement of the plate
laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the ski.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the lateral abutments
are configured and arranged relative to the remainder of the binding
assembly to maintain the plate in a position substantially aligned with
the longitudinal axis of the ski, wherein two of the at least two mutually
inclined ramps of the plate are connected by an alignment contact portion,
wherein two of the at least two mutually inclined ramps of the base are
connected by an alignment contact portion, and wherein in the alignment
position of the plate, the alignment contact portion of the plate ramps
and the alignment contact portion of the base are positioned substantially
opposite each other.
Still further according to the invention, four ramps are provided on the
lower surface of the plate which generally form a "W" having two apices in
transverse cross-section, and four ramps are provided on the base which
generally form an inverted "W" having two apices in transverse
cross-section, and the apices of the "W" are substantially opposite the
apices of the inverted "W" in the alignment position of the plate.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the plate is adapted
to be mounted for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis
about an end of the plate remote from the wings. The plate further
includes a second end proximate the wings, whereby the plate is movable
toward and away from the ski as the plate ramps engage the base ramps.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the binding assembly
further includes a transverse track within which the plate is mounted for
lateral movement.
Still further according to the invention, the base ramps are associated
with the track for permitting movement toward and away from the ski as the
plate ramps engage the base ramps.
Still further the base can be integral with the ski, and the base ramps can
also be integral with the ski.
The present invention can be further defined as a ski assembly for
attachment to a ski, the assembly including:
(a) a plate for attachment to an upper surface of the ski and for being
laterally movable relative thereto;
(b) a binding for attachment to the upper surface of the ski, the binding
including independently movable first and second wings, and means for
biasing the first and second wings into a stable boot retention position;
(c) means for limiting lateral movement of the plate to an amount
determined by respective positions of the first and second wings; and
(d) means for facilitating lateral movement of the plate.
According to an additional aspect of the invention the plate includes a
lower surface, wherein the facilitating means includes at least one
laterally inclined ramp formed in or connected to the lower surface of the
ramp and a base formed in or connected to the ski, including at least one
laterally inclined ramp, whereby the assembly is configured and arranged
such that the at least one plate ramp is engagable with one of the at
least one base ramp as the plate moves laterally such that downward
pressure on the plate results in a force facilitating lateral movement of
the plate.
Still further, the present invention can be defined as a binding assembly
including:
(a) an anti-friction plate movable between a centered position and either
of two opposite lateral positions;
(b) a binding including:
(i) a body;
(ii) a first wing movable relative to the body between a retention position
and a release position; and
(iii) a second wing movable relative to the body and movable relative to
the first wing between a retention position and a release position;
(c) means responsive to the positions of the first wing and the second wing
for limiting lateral movement of the plate; and
(d) means for facilitating lateral movement of the anti-friction plate
including at least one inclined surface on a lower surface of the
anti-friction plate.
According to the invention, the facilitating means includes at least one
inclined surface to be fixed mounted to the ski for engagement with the
inclined surface of the anti-friction plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood with reference to the description
below, as well as to the annexed drawings which are an integral part
thereof.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a top view of a binding in a non-limiting
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, at the level of the
movable plate;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with the boot engaged in the front
binding;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a top view which illustrates a lateral release of the binding;
FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, at
the level of the movable plate;
FIG. 7 illustrates the return of the movable plate and of the binding after
a lateral release;
FIG. 8 illustrates the behavior of the binding, during a lateral release,
with a blockage of the movable plate;
FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the movable
plate shown in the preceding figures;
FIG. 10 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the front binding and
of its movable plate, adapted to a ski of a particular shape;
FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 10,
at the level of the movable plate;
FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the
preceding figures;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment at the level of the portion
of the front binding which retains the boot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As discussed above, the present invention is particularly directed to
binding assemblies having movable plates upon which at least an end of the
boot is supported.
These types of movable plates are preferred because they are not very
sensitive to the state of the surface of the sole of the boot.
Furthermore, in the case of sticking or blocking, they do not prevent the
binding from functioning normally.
However, it must be noted that although there may be almost no friction
between the boot and the movable plate, friction does exist between the
movable plate and the ski. This friction opposes the lateral release of
the boot. Furthermore, the greater the boot exerts pressure against the
ski, i.e., for example during a frontward fall, the greater this friction
becomes.
One of the objects of the invention is to perfect these movable plates, by
transforming the downward bias that the boot exerts on the ski into a
motor effect, which compensates for the frictional forces caused between
the movable plate and the ski, and which, as a result, facilitates the
lateral movement of the boot and, as a result, its lateral release.
Another object of the invention is to propose a safety binding equipped
with a movable plate in which the movable plate has no direct or indirect
linkage with the elements of the front binding, during release, and in
which the wings ensure the recentering of the movable plate after a
release.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear from the
description which follows.
The safety binding according to the invention is adapted to retain the end
of a boot, supported on a ski, and to release the end or the boot when it
exerts an excessive bias on the binding exceeding a predetermined
threshold.
It includes:
a fixed body mounted on the ski,
two independent lateral retention wings journalled with respect to the body
around a substantially vertical axis, and laterally movable against the
action of an elastic return apparatus to a position where they maintain
the boot in stable equilibrium substantially in alignment with the
vertical and longitudinal median plane of the ski,
a support plate for the sole of the boot, which is positioned in the
vicinity of the lateral retention wings, which is movable with respect to
the upper surface of the ski, and which is guided in a manner so as to
have a free lateral movement with respect to the ski, the said plate being
substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical and longitudinal
plane, and globally defining a substantially horizontal plane,
substantially parallel to the upper surface of the ski,
two lateral abutments which limit the lateral movement of the movable
support plate, on both sides of its centered position in which its
vertical plane of symmetry is merged with a longitudinal and vertical
median plane of the ski.
It is characterized by the fact that the movable plate has at the level of
its lower surface at least two ramps which are inclined with respect to
the horizontal plane defined by the plate; that the ski has, in the zone
of the ramps of the movable support plate, a base which is connected to
the ski at least along a transverse and vertical direction, and which has
on its upper surface at least two ramps which are inclined with respect to
the plane defined by the upper surface of the ski; and that the inclined
ramps of the plate are at least locally in contact with the ramps of the
base, the zones of contact defining, when the movable support plate is in
its centered position, a plane of contact; and that each of the ramps of
the movable plate has a symmetrical orientation of a ramp of the base with
respect to the plane of contact.
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a ski 1, at the position of the front
binding 2. The ski is also equipped with a rear binding which is not shown
and which can be of any appropriate type.
The front binding includes a body 3 which is mounted on the ski in a fixed
manner or, if desired, by means of a known arrangement for adjusting the
amount of shock absorption.
The front binding 2 furthermore includes two lateral retention wings 4 and
5 which are independent. These wings 4 and 5 are journalled in rotation
around a substantially vertical axis, respectively 6 and 7.
Wings 4 and 5 are laterally movable against the action of an elastic return
mechanism.
This elastic return apparatus is of any appropriate type and, for example,
in FIG. 1, it is schematically shown a stay rod 10, oriented substantially
longitudinally and includes a head 11. This head 11 is biased towards the
rear by one or the other of fingers 12 or 13 which are respectively
connected to wings 4 and 5, and which extend these wings beyond their
respective journal axes 6 and 7 in the direction of the longitudinal and
vertical median plane of the ski, which is schematically shown by axis 14
FIG. 1.
A cap 15 is connected to the other end of the stay rod 10, preferably by
being screwed thereon.
The elastic return apparatus furthermore includes a compression spring 16,
which is compressed between a fixed abutment 18 affixed to the body, and
the movable cap 15, which follows the movement of the stay rod 10, in
response to the bias of one or the other of the wings 4 and 5 towards the
exterior.
The particular configuration of the elastic return apparatus just described
is not limiting, however, and for example, as is shown in FIG. 14, wings 4
and 5 can be respectively extended, on the side of the boot, by extensions
20 and 21. It is these extensions which are in contact with the sole of
the boot. Each of these extensions 20 and 21 is journalled to a wing 4 and
5 around a substantially vertical axis. Furthermore, each extension 20 and
21 has a finger 23 and 24 which is oriented towards the longitudinal axis
and vertical median plane 14, and which extends towards a ramp 25 and 26
for opening of the extensions.
The operation of this front binding is similar in operation to the binding
in FIG. 1. The difference is that, during a first phase of a lateral
release, the extension biased by the boot, for example, the extension 20,
moves from its equilibrium position with the wing 4 to which it is
connected by journalling. Finger 23 follows the curve 25, and in a second
phase when finger 23 reaches the opening zone of extension 20, this
extension "breaks", i.e., moves with respect to wing 4, which causes the
total opening of the extension towards the exterior, and the release of
the boot.
The front binding furthermore includes a movable plate 30. This movable
plate 30 is laterally movable with respect to ski 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a
plate 30 which is movably rotatably mounted around a pivot 31 which is
substantially vertical and affixed to the ski, and positioned at the rear
of body 3 of binding 1.
The movable plate 30 extends towards the front substantially up to the zone
of wings 4 and 5. It is adapted to serve as a support for the sole of the
boot, at least in its front portion.
Preferably, the movable plate 30 is formed of a material which is
vertically flexible which allows for a slight vertical movement of its
front portion.
Furthermore, it is totally free to pivot laterally, without any return
energy to overcome or without any linkage of the elements of the front
binding such as the wings or the stay rod.
However, the free lateral movement of the movable plate 30 is limited by
two abutments, one on each side of the longitudinal median axis 14 of the
ski. These two abutments are shown at 34 and 35 in the figures. Each of
these abutments 34 and 35 is movable and is connected rigidly to a wing, 4
and 5, respectively, which it follows in rotational movement. These
abutments, in their rear portion, are engaged in two housings 36 and 37 of
the movable plate 30, and they can respectively be supported against the
surfaces 38 and 39 of the housings 36 and 37 which are oriented
substantially parallel to the axis 14.
The relative arrangement of abutments 34, 35 and surfaces 38, 39 is such
that, in the stable equilibrium position, i.e., in the absence of the
boot, the movable plate 30 is maintained aligned on the longitudinal
median axis 14 of the ski with a free movement which is reduced to a value
which is substantially zero since the abutments 34 and 35 are
substantially in contact with the surfaces 38 and 39. On the other hand,
as soon as one wing moves from its equilibrium position, it displaces the
abutment which is associated therewith, which increases the amount of free
movement of the movable plate 30, principally on the side in which the
wing is displaced.
In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the abutments 34 and 35 are fixedly connected
to wings 4 and 5, as is the case in FIG. 1.
According to the invention, the movable plate 30 has, at its lower surface
30b, at least two ramps which are inclined with respect to the horizontal
plane defined by the upper surface 30a of the movable plate. In FIG. 2,
four ramps 41, 42, 43, 44, are shown at the lower surface 30b of the
movable plate. These four ramps form a sort of "W", whose lower apices 45
and 46 are, preferably, truncated. Outside of the truncated apices 45, 46
the ramps 41-44 are substantially planar.
With regard to ramps 41-44 of the movable plate 30, ski 1 has a base 50 and
the upper surface of this base 50 has at least two ramps which are
substantially planar and which are positioned in opposition to the ramps
of the movable plate.
FIG. 2 shows four ramps 51, 52, 53, 54, which are inclined with respect to
the upper surface of the ski, and which form a sort of inverted "W", with
respect to the "W" which the four ramps 41-44 of the movable plate 30
constitute. The apices 51 and 56 are preferably truncated as are apices 45
and 46. Outside of apices 55 and 56 the ramps 51-54 are substantially
planar.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the movable plate 30 aligned in the vertical
longitudinal median plane of the ski schematically shown by its line 14 in
FIG. 1. In this position, the truncated apices 45 and 46 of the ramps of
the movable plate 30 are in contact with the apices 55 and 56 of the ramps
of base 50. These zones of contact define a plane of contact which, in the
case of FIGS. 1 and 2, is substantially horizontal. The orientation of
each of the ramps 43, 41, 42, 44 of the movable plate 30 is substantially
symmetrical with a ramp 53, 51, 52, 54 of base 50, with respect to this
substantially horizontal contact plane.
The operation of the front binding which has just been described is
illustrated in the following figures.
In FIG. 3, the relative position of the different elements of the front
binding when the boot is present in the binding are schematically shown.
The sole of the boot 60 is schematically shown in phantom lines. The
engagement of the boot in the front binding causes a slight spacing of the
wings, against the force of the elastic return apparatus. This slight
spacing of the wings allows for an automatic adaptation of the front
binding to the width of the sole of boot 60.
This has an effect that the abutments 34 and 35 space themselves from the
surfaces 38 and 39 of the housings 36 and 37 of the movable plate 30,
which gives to the movable 30 a freedom of displacement, over a small
range of movement.
The movable plate 30 is thus maintained in a substantially centered
position on the longitudinal median axis of ski 14 by the boot itself.
Likewise, the width of the truncated apices 45 and 46 of the movable plate
30 and that of apices 55 and 56 of base 50 is such that the movable plate
30 can move substantially from its alignment with axis 14, without
causing, during a frontward fall, the compensation for the friction by
cooperation of the inclined ramps which will be described below.
FIG. 5 illustrates the front binding 2 subjected by boot 60 to forces which
cause the opening of wing 4 so as to cause the release of the boot. The
abutment 34 which is connected to wing 4 is likewise open, which gives to
the movable plate 30 the possibility of being freely displaced in the
direction of wing 4. In fact, it is boot 60 which moves with it the
movable plate 30.
At the level of the ramps, there is a cooperation between a portion of at
least one ramp of the movable plate 30 and a corresponding portion of at
least one ramp of the base 50.
FIG. 6 illustrates ramps 43 and 42 of the movable plate 30 which come into
contact with ramps 51 and 54 of base 50. At the level of these ramps, a
downward bias of the boot on the movable plate 30, schematically shown by
arrow 62, causes a reaction which itself has a component 63 which is
oriented transversely in a horizontal plane. This component 63 has a motor
role in the lateral displacement of movable plate 30, i.e., it favors this
displacement, and thus compensates for the friction caused between the
movable plate 30 and the base 50 by pressure of the boot on the ski.
Thus, during the lateral movement of the boot, the ramps of the movable
plate 30 cooperate with the ramps of the base to diminish the friction
which holds the movable plate 30 from its lateral displacement.
Furthermore, it must be emphasized that, during a release, the movable
plate 30 is free to be displaced laterally without any direct action on
wings 4 and 5 of the binding, or on the elastic return apparatus.
FIG. 7 illustrates the return of wing 4 to its initial position, after
release of boot 60. This return of wing 4 likewise causes the return of
abutment 34, which comes into contact with surface 38 of housing 36 of
movable plate 30. Thus, movable plate 30 is returned towards its centered
equilibrium position on axis 14, i.e., the position of FIG. 1. It must be
emphasized that it is the lateral wing 4 itself through the action of the
elastic return mechanism, which ensures the return of movable plate 30 to
its centered position, and that the movable plate has no return energy of
its own.
With respect to the ramps, the reverse movement from the preceding movement
occurs, until the truncated apices 45 and 46 of the movable plate 30 come
into contact with the truncated apices 55 and 56 of base 50.
FIG. 8 illustrates the case where the lateral wing 4 is biased by the sole
of the boot 60, but where the movable plate 30 is blocked, for example as
a result of sticking to ice or a foreign body which interferes with its
freedom of displacement.
As in the preceding case, wing 4 and abutment 34 move from axis 14, but the
movable plate 30 remains aligned with this axis. Boot 60 thus slides
directly on the upper surface of the movable plate 30, and it is at this
level that friction occurs. If desired, these frictional forces can be
reduced by the presence of a plate of polytetrafluoroethylene on the upper
surface of the movable plate 30, in the manner described in the French
patent cited in the Background of the Invention.
Other means can also be utilized to diminish the friction between the boot
and the movable plate in this case. For example, the upper surface 30a of
the movable plate 30 can have two transverse ribs in greater thickness 57
and 58 on which rests the sole of the boot. These ribs are thus situated
in front and at the rear of the ramps 41-44.
It should be noted that in the case of FIG. 8 that the release of the boot
is not interfered with by operation of the movable plate 30.
The return of the wing to its centered position, after release of the boot,
has no influence on movable plate 30, since it remains in its centered
position.
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment, according to which movable
plate 30, instead of being pivotably mounted around a pivot 31, is guided
for a free lateral sliding in a track, oriented transversely, having a
cross-sectional shape substantially in the form of a "C", open towards the
top. This track 66 likewise carries, facing the ramps of movable plate 30,
the ramps which were previously carried by the base.
Likewise, the track 66 allows for a slight vertical movement of the movable
plate 30, in a manner so as to allow for the cooperation of the ramps.
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the case where the upper surface of the ski has
in cross-section the form of an omega. This upper surface of the ski has,
in its central zone, an edge 68, which is present over the entire length
of the ski or, if desired, in the zone of the boot and of the bindings.
Ramps 51-54 are, in this case, directly formed in the edge 68, which
constitutes the previously described base.
Movable plate 30, and its ramps 41-44 cooperate with ramps 51-54 of the
ski, in the same manner as has been described relatively to the preceding
figures.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an alternative embodiment, according to which
base 150 can be displaced longitudinally with respect to the upper surface
of the ski. Furthermore, base 150 extends towards the body 2 of the front
binding by a stay rod 69 which ends in a fork 70. This fork 70 receives
the stay rod 10 of the elastic return apparatus immediately in front of
head 11. As result, a longitudinal movement of movable base 150 towards
the rear causes rearward movement of the stay rod 10, and thus an
additional compression of the energy spring.
Ramps 141-144 of movable plate 130, as well as the ramps 151-154 of the
base 150 are inclined as in the preceding case with respect to the
horizontal plane defined by the upper surface of the movable plate 130,
but furthermore they are inclined from the rear to the front and from top
to bottom. Likewise, the previously defined contact plane is inclined from
top to bottom and rear to front.
In this manner, the reaction force caused by a downward force of the boot
on the ski has a horizontal component directed towards the rear of the
ski, which causes base 150 to retract. This causes, in addition to what
has been previously described, a direct action on the spring in the form
of additional compression.
After a release, it is spring 16 itself which will bring back base 150 to
the initial position. As to plate 130, it is the biased wing 4, 5, by
means of its associated abutment 34, 35 which assures the return to the
aligned position on axis 14.
Although the invention has been described with reference to particular
means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the particulars disclosed and extends to all
equivalents within the scope of the claims.
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